AAHA Briefs on Practice Management

Not long ago, I talked about strategic planning to 100 veterinary professionals. I asked, "How many of you have a written mission statement, vision statement, or strategic plan?" More than three fourths raised their hands. I was impressed. However, as we talked, their questions confirmed what I have discovered with many of my clients: writing a strategic plan is the easy part; making it come to life can be a challenge.

Referral Issues Communication and a strong relationship are 2 variables that contribute most to a high-quality referral experience.

Changing to a 3-Year Protocol: My Experience When I was asked to write this article about switching to a 3-year vaccination protocol, I almost turned it down. After all, I've been doing every-third-year FVRCP for cats for 10 years and DHLPP for dogs for 3, so for me it's old news.

The recent recall of more than 100 brands of pet food coupled with front-page headlines of renal failure in cats and dogs fortifies the need to be prepared for a crisis. How a veterinary practice communicates during a crisis requires careful planning, strategy, and forethought.